Court Orders Arrest Of Nigerian Professor Over Election Fraud

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has ordered the arrest of Professor Ignatius Uduk, who is facing trial for election fraud after failing to appear for judgment on Wednesday.

Professor Uduk, a Human Kinetics lecturer at the University of Uyo, served as the returning officer for the 2019 general election in Essien Udim State Constituency, where he was accused of perjury and announcing false results. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is prosecuting him on three counts.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Justice Bassey Nkanang adjourned proceedings for an hour when both the defendant and his counsel failed to appear. While the prosecution counsel, Clement Onwuenweunor, and an INEC official were present, the defence lawyer later informed the court via text message that he was unwell.

The prosecution requested the revocation of the defendant’s bail and issuance of a fresh bench warrant, which the judge granted. The case was adjourned to February 5 for judgment.

Professor Uduk was first arraigned in December 2020 after multiple failures to appear in court. The trial has suffered several setbacks due to changes in defence counsel and a previous medical collapse by the defendant during cross-examination.

Despite pleading not guilty, the embattled professor now faces imminent arrest as the court moves forward with its ruling.